Many of Bannack's inhabitants had fled to Alder Gulch by February 1865. There, Virginia City, Montana's capital became the capital for the next ten decades before Helena took the title
1. Visit Bannack State Park during a fall vacation
As Alan and I walk along the wooden sidewalks, autumn leaves crackle under our feet. Even though it is only mid-September, we have missed the peak week of fall color in this remote corner of Southwest Montana. Inside the Visitors Center, there are excellent regional books and video rooms, as well as a knowledgeable park ranger who has many stories to share. Unfortunately, the Visitors Center closes on Labor Day so no group tours of the town nor the mill are offered. We purchase a self-guided walking tour guide for $2 from the ranger, and we set off to explore. With a few other weekday visitors, we also explore the buildings that once belonged to a bustling gold rush town. Through creaking doors, creaking sidewalks and the sound of footsteps on uneven wooden walkways, history whispers to us.
2. There are more ghost towns in Montana to explore
There are many abandoned towns in the American West that bear witness to the gold rush history. Southwest Montana has 17 ghost towns. Bannack Ghost Town is the most well-preserved. Preservation is the goal, not restoration. Coolidge Ghost Town is nearby and slowly being reclaimed. This offers a completely different experience. Both are worth a visit on a trip to Southwest Montana.
ORIGINAL SOURCE LINK - https://beatifulworldblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/where-do-richest-americans-live.html